1. The musical growth and decay that can be placed between a single phrase, line of text, or note in a piece of music.
Most commonly referred to notes pertaining to be longer than the unit of beat.
2. The overall effect of intensity/crescendo-diminuendo throughout an entire song.
3. The rising action, transferring to the climax, and finally leading into the conclusion of something.
John: Man, that music that choir sang today really had some intense musical moments.